An iPod with No Music

Two weeks ago I bought one of the new 4th Generation iPods. I have to say that I'm not as impressed as I thought I would be. However, this device does have many merits. I like it's 'universal' abilitiies, based on its ability to be a USB mass storage device. Currently I've backed up my Laptop, my Music, all my projects at work, and this web server, and still have plenty of room left (10.98 GB out of 20Gb used). It is amazing that these new iPods sport a USB 2.0 interface for lighting fast transfers, and the ability to charge off of a USB or FireWire connection. In fact the power block that comes with the iPod has a 'FireWire' port that provides charging power for the iPod. I've setup Apple's Backup utility (avaliable with a .Mac account) to make a copy of my Documents directory onto my iPod every night.

I can also say I thoroughly enjoy its size. I work at a PC Repair Shop at Texas A&M University. Part of my job is to develop and use a piece of software that helps our technicians do their job. I keep the most recent copy of this software on my iPod. When a customer brings in a computer, I plug in the iPod and let the software auto-run. This saves a massive amount of time in my meanial tasks.

However, I've found some caveats. Foremost is that a portable music device is only half of what I want. The built-in software and accompanying applications are almost all made for music storage and playback. I want a device that can be easily programmed to do 'whatever I want'. In other words, a device that I can make a program to interface with my website and download all of the today's comments (just a random thought) or can be software to run a webserver (everyone say 'Linux on the iPod'). In fact, I bought this iPod knowing I'd almost never use it as a music device; I have a thing against head phones... comes from having an odd shaped head). My other problem with this new iPod is with its battery charging. It continually charges the battery when it is plugged into a USB or FireWire connection. Because this is basically the only thing I use mine for, it is always charging. Meaning that eventually I know the battery is going to loose its ability to hold a charge. Which means I'll have to pay $99 to Apple's iPod Battery Placement program. I wish there was an option to have the iPod not charge while its plugged into a computer. I recently bought an electric shaver that is 'smart' enough to charge and discharge itself to keep the battery in good health. And though I'm not on the iPod development team, I bet this could be a feature in the next iPod Software Update release.

I purchased my iPod with the intention of having a portable 20 GB hard drive. I still think it was a good idea. However, I'd advise others to wait until the 4G iPods became avaliable for a reduced rate on E-bay before rushing out to buy one.

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